Celebrating National Nonprofit Day: A Look at CICOA’s Impact

Did you know that August 17 was National Nonprofit Day? While the day itself fell on a Sunday, it’s a perfect time this week to recognize and celebrate the incredible impact nonprofit organizations have on our nation. It’s a day to reflect on where our society would be without the selfless work and essential services that this sector provides every day.

The nonprofit sector in the United States has grown to include over 1.5 million organizations. This amazing number translates to over 12.9 million jobs—about 1 in 10 private-sector jobs in the U.S.

Why Nonprofits Are Essential

Nonprofits are one of three main sectors in society, alongside governments and corporations. Our sector focuses on the public good, filling crucial needs that the other two cannot. Our missions bring out the best in society and act as a spark for positive change in the lives of countless citizens.

“Charitable nonprofits embody the best of America. They provide a way for people to work together for the common good, transforming shared beliefs and hopes into action.”
– National Council of Nonprofits

If nonprofits didn’t exist, millions of needs would go unmet. We would see a void of positive experiences, life-saving research would not be funded, and a creative spirit would be stifled. Nonprofits achieve all of these things and more!

CICOA: Serving Central Indiana as a Nonprofit

CICOA is now in its 51st year as an Area Agency on Aging in the State of Indiana. While that is a key part of our identity and mission, we are, above all, a nonprofit organization. This matters for so many reasons. Every day, because we are a nonprofit:

• Thousands of Central Indiana seniors receive daily meals.
• Countless seniors, caregivers, and people with disabilities get the transportation they need.
• Our Community Health Workers provide vital support to communities across the state.
• Our Home Modifications Program helps hundreds of older adults safely stay in their homes each year.
• We are launching innovative programs to better serve caregivers and provide broader community support.

This is only a portion of our daily work. We are vital and needed, serving in ways that only CICOA has the reach and capacity to achieve. We believe our mission matters for the communities we serve.

Ways to Get Involved with Your Local Nonprofit

First, honor the work of nonprofits in your community by volunteering. This could be for a local faith community, a service organization, or even CICOA! We have a great volunteer opportunity with our Safe at Home event in September.

Second, could you be an advocate? An advocate is someone who raises awareness and brings attention to the needs of those we serve. Advocacy is powerful and can inspire others to get involved who might not have otherwise.

Finally, could you give of your finances? I often hear that “CICOA is supported by government funding.” Now is the time to be clear: government funding is never enough. We have current examples of how funding cuts are deeply impacting the nonprofit sector, and CICOA has not been immune. As the needs of seniors, caregivers, and people with disabilities increase, funding is decreasing. We could use your regular private support to help stabilize our services and make a long-term impact.

While the nonprofit sector has grown exponentially since 1894, the spirit of this day remains the same. We need to remind society of the incredible impact nonprofits make every day. Get involved! Be an advocate! Give as you are able! Thank you to each of you who do these things and for your amazing support of CICOA.

“Do what you can, with what you’ve got, where you are.”
– Theodore Roosevelt

Steve Gerber

Steve Gerber brings experience in pastoral ministry, nonprofit management and fundraising team leadership to his role as CICOA’s chief development officer. Steve is responsible for the agency’s overall fundraising strategy, leading annual campaigns, major gifts, planned giving, grants and special events.

He holds designations for Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy^® (CAP^®), and the executive certificate in religious fundraising. Steve earned a bachelor’s degree from Tennessee Temple University, a master’s degree from Grace Theological Seminary and a master’s in business administration from the University of Phoenix.